Laboratory evaluation of 3-(5-tetrazolyl) penam, a new semisynthetic beta-lactam antibacterial agent with extended broad-spectrum activity

In the new agent 3-(5-tetrazolyl)penam, hereafter referred to as CP-35,587, the carboxyl function at C3 in the penicillin nucleus has been replaced with the 5-tetrazolyl moiety. Marked changes in spectrum and resistance to gram-negative beta-lactamases, particularly with regard to Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, were conferred by this modification. The anti-Klebsiella activity clearly distinguishes the antibacterial spectrum of CP-35,587 from any known broad-spectrum penicillin. Compared to orally active cephalosporins, the spectrum advantage of CP-35,587 encompasses Enterobacter, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter, Providencia, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus faecalis, both in vitro and in murine infections produced by many of the above-named microorganisms. Thus, CP-35,587 combines and extends the antibacterial activity of broad-spectrum penicillins and orally active cephalosporins.     

Developmental patterns of acid hydrolases during differentiation of fetal mouse skin

A dye reduction method was developed for estimating total aerobic and/or psychrotrophic bacterial counts in ground beef. The method is based on color changes in indicator disks placed on the meat surface.     

GLC determination of doxepin plasma levels

A procedure is described for extracting doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, from plasma and subsequently measuring its concentration by GLC. The developed technique permits the resolution and quantitative determination of the cis- and trans-isomers of doxepin as well as its desmethyl metabolite. The method allows precise, reliable measurement of the drug and one of its metabolities in concentrations as low as 10 ng/ml of plasma.     

Primary isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex-serotype 6 on blood agar

Mycobacterium avium complex-serotype 6 was isolated in pure culture on blood agar plates from inocula taken from the heart blood, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen of a naturally infected captive female opossum (Didelphis marsupialis virginiana). Repeat cultures from stored tissues and transfer of colonies from original blood agar plates revealed that the mycobacterium grew on tryptose, brilliant green, eosin-methylene blue. Sabouraud glucose, and mycobiotic agar plates and in Fletcher leptospira medium. The cultural, biochemical, and serological characteristics of the test isolate were compared with other mycobacteria. This is the first report to describe the primary isolation of a serotype from the M. avium complex from an animal species on blood agar or in Fletcher broth. In addition, this is the second documented report describing the isolation and identification of a mycobacterial species from the American opossum.     

Contraindications to the repositioning of fractured or dislocated limbs in the fields

Supracondylar fractures of the femor or humerus and fractures of the radius, ulna, tibia or fibula, plus crush injuries of the limbs, most likely should not be manipulated in the field because of the potential for traumatizing adjacent nerves, veins and arteries. An emergency splinting system that allows immobilization without repositioning has been developed. Furthermore, fractures in or about the elbow, wrist, knee, or ankle should not be subjected to reduction in the field, unless there are compelling reasons to justify the risk of producing significant additional trauma. Conservative immobilization without repositioning may yield a more positive prognosis for the patient.     

65—THE CSIRO PORTABLE SONIC FINENESS TESTER,MODEL B

A small air-flow fineness tester for wool, which uses the sonic system and gives a direct reading of the fibre diameter, is now available commercially. It Is intended specifically for measurements of fibre diameter in such applications as ram selection and flock-culling. The instrument is accordingly calibrated for full-length hand-carded wool and uses a 2-g test specimen. An account is given of the instrument and trials conducted with it. An accuracy of ±0.5 μm is obtained if corrections for altitude and ambient conditions are made. An interesting feature is that it has been possible to produce commercial instruments with identical calibration characteristics. This has important implications for the future of the air-flow method.     

Self-help cessation programs for smokeless tobacco users: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial.

This paper presents long-term outcomes of the largest clinical trial of smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation reported to date. SLT users in five northwestern states were recruited to call a toll-free number, and 1,069 users were randomized to one of two self-help conditions: either a manual-only condition or an assisted self-help condition, which included the manual, a targeted video, and two support phone calls. Significant between-group differences were not found for either the 12- or 18-month point-prevalence measure of abstinence from either SLT only or all tobacco products using outcomes based on either the responder or intention-to-treat outcomes. However, using a repeated point-prevalence measure across all three assessment points, we found that significantly more assisted self-help participants reported abstinence, compared with manual-only participants. Compared with manual-only participants, those in the assisted self-help condition were significantly more likely to use recommended cessation techniques. Results demonstrate that low-cost, minimal interventions delivered by mail and phone can help a sizable proportion of individuals quit using SLT.     

Relative effectiveness of the Bacteriological Analytical Manual method for the recovery of Salmonella from whole cantaloupes and cantaloupe rinses with selected preenrichment media and rapid methods

Soak and rinse methods were compared for the recovery of Salmonella from whole cantaloupes. Cantaloupes were surface inoculated with Salmonella cell suspensions and stored for 4 days at 2 to 6 degrees C. Cantaloupes were placed in sterile plastic bags with a nonselective preenrichment broth at a 1:1.5 cantaloupe weight-to-broth volume ratio. The cantaloupe broths were shaken for 5 min at 100 rpm after which 25-ml aliquots (rinse) were removed from the bags. The 25-ml rinses were preenriched in 225-ml portions of the same uninoculated broth type at 35 degrees C for 24 h (rinse method). The remaining cantaloupe broths were incubated at 35 degrees C for 24 h (soak method). The preenrichment broths used were buffered peptone water (BPW), modified BPW, lactose (LAC) broth, and Universal Preenrichment (UP) broth. The Bacteriological Analytical Manual Salmonella culture method was compared with the following rapid methods: the TECRA Unique Salmonella method, the VIDAS ICS/SLM method, and the VIDAS SLM method. The soak method detected significantly more Salmonella-positive cantaloupes (P < 0.05) than did the rinse method: 367 Salmonella-positive cantaloupes of 540 test cantaloupes by the soak method and 24 Salmonella-positive cantaloupes of 540 test cantaloupes by the rinse method. Overall, BPW, LAC, and UP broths were equivalent for the recovery of Salmonella from cantaloupes. Both the VIDAS ICS/SLM and TECRA Unique Salmonella methods detected significantly fewer Salmonella-positive cantaloupes than did the culture method: the VIDAS ICS/SLM method detected 23 of 50 Salmonella-positive cantaloupes (60 tested) and the TECRA Unique Salmonella method detected 16 of 29 Salmonella-positive cantaloupes (60 tested). The VIDAS SLM and culture methods were equivalent: both methods detected 37 of 37 Salmonella-positive cantaloupes (60 tested).